System and associated methods for advertising from a traffic signal control cabinet

ABSTRACT

An advertising medium includes a frame enclosing a traffic signal control cabinet. The frame includes opposing rails for each side of the cabinet with opposing inside surfaces of the rails including grooves extending longitudinally along the rail and spaced from each other. A light panel is carried within one groove near, yet spaced from, surfaces of cabinet walls. An advertising panel is carried within a second groove. The advertising panel is spaced from the light panel and on an opposite side from the cabinet wall. A clear protective panel is carried within a third groove and opposite an outer surface of the advertising panel. Tie rods extend between lock devices which are secured to the rails such that removing the frame from its position around the cabinet is prevented. As a result, advertising material may be secured to a traffic signal control cabinet without intruding upon or modifying the cabinet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/974,543 entitled “System andAssociated Methods for Advertising from a Traffic Signal ControlCabinet” filed Dec. 18, 2015, which itself claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/093,456, filed Dec. 18, 2014, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference and commonly owned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to advertising display devicesand in particular to an advertising system mountable on a cabinetstructure without jeopardizing integrity of the cabinet structure with arobust locking mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Advertising media take on a variety of forms as do the devices designedto secure the advertising media to a structural support while allowingclear public view. Examples of such devices are included in U.S. Pat.No. 7,096,625 to Hering for “A Method of Displaying Advertising on aTurnstile” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,319 to Hicks for an “Apparatus forConnecting Advertising Substrate to Trucks.” Yet further and asdisclosed in U.S. Application Publication No. 2001/0035701 to Holzheidfor “Framing for Public Space Housings to Hold and to Facilitate Displayof Visual Materials,” outdoor cabinets such as traffic control boxesprovide potential sites for advertising and provide a source ofadvertising revenue.

As disclosed in Holzheid, equipment must be protected from the elementsas well as vandalism or other destruction by humans. In many cases, theequipment is protected by a housing for traffic signal control boxes,which are especially susceptible to vandalism. Traffic signal controlboxes are generally vertical structures positioned at streetintersections for the purpose of housing the electronics needed tocontrol traffic signals at the intersections. For example, while trafficcontrol cabinets generally located at each intersection having trafficlights have blank space on side walls, municipalities frown on “bumpersticker” styled signs stuck to the side walls and such signs aredifficult to remove. Accordingly, there is a need in the art forproviding an advertising option for advertising from such trafficcontrol cabinets without the need for intrusion into the cabinet wallssurfaces and with ease in replacing advertising indicia. Yet further,while outer coverings for such housings may be known, there remains aneed to attach such covers and thus possible advertising media to thehousings without intruding or modifying the housing. The embodimentsdisclosed herein are aimed at overcoming these and other needs in theart.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are herein described by way ofexample and directed to advertising display methods and devicesmountable on a cabinet structure without jeopardizing the integrity ofthe cabinet.

By way of example in satisfying a need, embodiments of the inventionpermit signage, such as advertising, to be placed on a traffic signalcontrol cabinet, or the like, without scratching, marring, ordiscoloring the original surface of the cabinet, and further withoutbeing invasive in any way to the cabinet or its function. Further, thesignage may be carried by the cabinet without interfering with thecabinet access door. Embodiments of the invention permit a frictionalattachment of the signage while withstanding relatively high winds andsevere weather without damage to the signage. Signage may be attached toany or all sides of the cabinet while having the attaching meansinaccessible to the general public.

One embodiment provides an advertising medium which may comprise a frameenclosing a traffic signal control cabinet. The frame may includeopposing rails for each side of the cabinet with opposing insidesurfaces of the rails including grooves extending longitudinally alongthe rail and spaced from each other. A light panel may be carried withinone groove near, yet spaced from, surfaces of cabinet walls. Anadvertising panel may be carried within a second groove. The advertisingpanel is spaced from the light panel and on an opposite side from thecabinet wall. A clear protective panel may be carried within a thirdgroove and opposite an outer surface of the advertising panel. Tie rodsmay extend between lock devices which are secured to the rails such thatremoving the frame from its position around the cabinet is prevented.Each lock device is generally comprised of a plurality of bores andbolts and secured using a key. As a result, advertising material may besecured to the traffic signal control cabinet without intruding ormodifying the cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventionincluding an advertising medium secured to a traffic signal controlcabinet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame assembly of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 illustrating selected elements thereof, by way of non-limitingexample;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view illustrating rail portions ofthe frame of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and use thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1illustrating a locking assembly portion according to the teachings ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a closer perspective view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4 further illustrating a lock device used therewith;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the lock device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front left perspective view of the embodiment of the presentinvention, herein described by way of example only, illustratingadvertising medium displayed from the traffic signal control cabinet;and

FIG. 9 is a rear right perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventionincluding an advertising medium secured to a traffic signal controlcabinet;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a frame assembly of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 illustrating selected elements thereof, by way of non-limitingexample;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the frame of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 and use thereof;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1illustrating the locking assembly portion according to the teachings ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the frame of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 and use thereof;

FIG. 15 is a front left perspective view of the locking mechanism of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 15;and

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The teachings of the present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichembodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration andnon-limiting example. This invention may be embodied in many forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art.

With reference initially to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the invention isherein described as an advertising medium 10 employing a traffic signalcontrol cabinet 12. As generally described, the cabinet 12 comprises afirst planar side wall 14 spaced from a second planar side wall 16, witha planar front wall 18 and rear wall 20 extending therebetween. Top andbottom walls 22, 24 add to a rectangular shaped housing 26 having anenclosed storage area 28 formed therein. The cabinet 12 furthercomprises a door 30 extending over an opening 32 formed in the rear wall20, by way of non-limiting example, and wherein the top wall 22 extendsbeyond at least the rear wall 20 to form a flange 34 above the door 30.

As illustrated with reference to FIG. 2, a frame 36 generally enclosesthe cabinet 12. The frame 36 has opposing rails 38, 40 for each of theside 14, 16, rear 20 and front 18 walls of the cabinet 12. Opposinginside surfaces 42, 44 of the rails 38, 40 include a plurality ofgrooves 46 extending longitudinally along the rail and spaced from eachother, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 3.

As further illustrated with reference to FIG. 3, a light panel 48 iscarried within a first groove 50 and spaced from surfaces 52 of therespective walls. An advertising panel 54 is carried within a secondgroove 56 and spaced from the light panel 48 at a further distance fromthe cabinet wall surface 52 than the light panel 48. A clear protectivepanel 58 is carried within a third groove 60 and itself spaced from theadvertising panel 54 and further distanced from the cabinet wall surface52 than the advertising panel 54.

As illustrated with reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, and now to FIGS. 4and 5, a first locking assembly 62 includes a first tie rod 64 extendingbetween opposing rails 38, 40 proximate the rear wall 20 and under theflange 34. A lock device 66 is affixed to free ends 68, 70 of the firsttie rod 64. The lock device 66 is secured to the opposing rails 38, 40proximate the rear wall 20 and under the flange 34 such that a verticallifting of the frame 36 is limited by interaction of the first tie rod64 with the flange.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and to FIG. 6, a secondlocking assembly 72 includes a second tie rod 74 extending between theopposing rails 38, 40 proximate the rear wall 20 and at a lower portion76 of the rear wall 20 sufficient for permitting access into the cabinethousing 26 through the opening 32 when the door 30 is in an openedposition. The lock device 66, as above described, is affixed to each ofopposing ends of the second tie rod 74 with the lock device secured tothe opposing rails 38, 40 with the second tie rod 74 held proximate therear wall 20.

As illustrated with reference to FIG. 7, one embodiment of the lockdevice 66, herein described by way of example, comprises a body 78having a first leg 80 including a first bore 82 extending longitudinallytherein. The first bore 82 receives the free end 68, 70 of the tie rods64, 74, wherein a first bolt 84 extends into the first bore 82 to securethe tie rod to the body 78. A second leg 86 extends generallyperpendicular to the first leg 80. The second leg 86 includes a secondbore 88, herein two second bores illustrated by way of example,extending through the second leg. A second bolt 90 extends through thesecond bore 88 into the rail 38, 40 and secures the body 78 to the rail,thus securing the lock device 66 to the rails.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the second leg 86 includes a thirdbore 85 extending therein proximate the second bore 80 and generallyperpendicular to an axis thereof, the lock device 66 including a key 89extending into the third bore 85 mating with the second bolt 90 forfixing the second bolt within the second bore and preventing movementthereof.

With reference again to FIG. 3, a foam pad or sheet 92 may be sandwichedbetween at least some of the side wall surfaces 52 of the cabinethousing 26 and respective light panels 48. The foam pads may optionallyhave a thickness for sufficiently preventing damage to the wall surfaces52 and sufficiently thick to contact both the wall surface 52 and thelight panel 48, as desired.

With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a top cover panel 94 is securedto the plurality of rails 38, 40 thus contributing to the forming of theframe 36, wherein the rails, and thus the frame extends beyond the topwall 22 of the cabinet 12 for providing a utility storage area 96between at least a portion of the top wall of the cabinet and the topcover panel. Electronic and other equipment, such as batteries, may besecurely stored within the utility storage area 96.

With reference again to FIG. 3, adjacent rails 38, 38A of the frame 36located at corners 100 of the cabinet 12 are secured together, usingbands 101 and screws 103, by way of example. The mirror image shape ofeach rail 38, 38A is such that tabs 102 On each rail combine to form aslot 104 longitudinally extending along the adjacent rails 38, 38A, byway of example. A ribbon cover 106 extends in the slot and limits accessto the screws 103, by way of further example.

As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will come to the mindof those skilled in the art that commercial and environmental promotionsindicia/images 108 may be attractively displayed from what is typicallya bland box. Such use can further benefit the government entitiesresponsible for traffic signal control cabinets by providing desiredrevenue while maintaining the integrity of the traffic signal control.

Alternative Embodiment

With reference initially to FIGS. 10 through 14, one embodiment of theinvention is herein described as an advertising medium 210 employing atraffic signal control cabinet 212. As generally described, the cabinet212 comprises a first side wall 214 spaced from a second side wall 216,with a front wall 218 and rear wall 220 extending therebetween. Top andbottom walls 222, 224 complete a rectangular shaped housing having anenclosed storage area 228 therein. In one embodiment, at least one ofthe front wall 218 and the rear wall 220 is defined by and/or comprisesa door for accessing the enclosed storage area 228. In one exemplaryembodiment, the top wall 222 extends beyond at least one of the frontwall 218 and the rear wall 220 to form a flange 234 above the door,which extends outward from the cabinet 212. A graphic 300 can be placedgenerally on or within an advertising panel 254, but may alternativelybe placed anywhere on the advertising medium 210 and/or cabinet 212. Inone embodiment, the advertising medium 210 comprises rails 238, 240,242, 244 generally conforming to the shape of the underlying cabinet 212and aligned with the peripheral corners thereof. The rails may befurther secured to one another with a plurality of secondary rails 246.Furthermore, the rails may extend upward beyond the top wall of thecabinet and define a secondary enclosed structure that may used foradditional advertising, storage, or other pertinent use.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-14, and now with reference to FIGS.15-19, the cabinet 212 further comprises at least one locking assembly262. The locking assembly 262 is configured and positioned forrestricting access to the enclosed storage area of the cabinet 212. Thelocking assembly may also secure any advertising panels configured asherein described with reference to the above-described embodiments toprevent defacing thereof. As depicted in FIG. 15, an embodiment of thelocking assembly comprises at least one lock device having a housing 266configured for receiving first 270, second 272, and third 274 lockingpins, each locking pin having opposing first (a) and second (b) ends,the first end configured for receiving a key and the second endconfigured for receiving a connector. The first locking pin 270 may beoriented substantially parallel to the second locking pin 272, and thethird locking pin 274 may be oriented substantially perpendicular to thefirst 270 and second 272 locking pins.

As depicted in FIGS. 10-11, the locking assembly 262 may furthercomprise a second lock device configured in substantially the samemanner as the first lock device. The second lock device includes asecond housing 266 for receiving fourth 280, fifth 282, and sixth 284locking pins, each locking pin having opposing first (a) and second (b)ends, the first end configured for receiving a key and the second endconfigured for receiving a connector. The fourth locking pin may beoriented substantially parallel to the fifth locking pin, and the sixthlocking pin may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the fourthand fifth locking pins.

Embodiments of the locking assembly herein described may furthercomprise a tie rod 264 defining opposing first (c) and second (d)connectors, the first connector (c) configured for being removeablysecured to the second end of the third locking pin, and the secondconnector configured for being removeably secured to the second end ofthe sixth locking pin. The first and second connectors may comprise athreaded member for being removeably secured to respective locking pins.Other connecting mechanisms, however, are considered to be within thescope of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to FIGS. 15-19, the lock device may furthercomprise at least one locking bar 290 configured for perpendicularlyengaging at least one of the locking pins, thereby preventing theremoval of the locking pin from the housing. The locking bar 290 may beheld in place by a retaining pin 292 configured for engaging the housingand preventing disengagement of the at least one locking bar 290 from atleast one of the locking pins.

By way of example, the advertising medium 210 may comprise first andsecond connectors 400, the first connector configured for removeablyengaging the second end of a first locking pin, and the second connectorconfigured for removeably engaging the second end of a second lockingpin. Moreover, the cabinet may further comprises third and fourthconnectors, the third connector configured for removeably engaging thesecond end of a fourth locking pin and the fourth connector configuredfor removeably engaging the second end of a fifth locking pin.

In one embodiment, the at least one locking assembly comprises a firstlock device, a second lock device, and a tie rod extending therebetween,the tie rod defining opposing first and second connectors, the firstlock device and the second lock device each comprising a housingconfigured for receiving first, second, and third locking pins, eachlocking pin having opposing first and second ends, the first endconfigured for receiving a key and the second end configured forreceiving a connector, the second ends of the first and second lockingpins removeably secured to the at least one connector extending from thebar, and the second end of the third locking pin removeably secured toat least one of the first and second connectors of the tie rod.

Exemplary embodiments may also include at least one locking barconfigured for preventing removal of at least one of the first, second,and third locking pins from the housing. By way of example, the lockingpins may have a notch formed at a portion thereof, wherein the at leastone locking bar engages the notch. At least one retaining pin configuredfor engaging the housing and preventing movement of the at least onelocking bar may also be provided.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-19, another embodiment of thepresent disclosure includes a locking assembly for restricting access toa traffic control cabinet, the locking assembly comprising a lock devicehaving a housing configured for receiving first, second, and thirdlocking pins, each locking pin having opposing first and second ends,the first end configured for receiving a key and the second endconfigured for receiving a connector. The locking assembly may furthercomprise a second lock device having a housing configured for receivingfirst, second, and third locking pins, each locking pin having opposingfirst and second ends, the first end configured for receiving a key andthe second end configured for receiving a connector.

In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a tie rod definingopposing first and second connectors, the first connector removeablysecured to at least one of the first, second, and third locking pins ofthe lock device, and the second connector removeably secured to at leastone of the first, second, and third locking pins of the second lockdevice. A first locking bar configured for engaging at least one of thefirst, second, and third locking pins may be provided. Likewise, asecond locking bar configured for engaging at least one of the first,second, and third locking pins may also be provided. In oneconfiguration, the first locking bar engages the first and second pins,and the second locking bar engages the third pin. A retaining pinconfigured for engaging both the housing and at least one of the firstand second locking bars may be provided for additional security.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thespecific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and alternateembodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the claimssupported by this specification.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An advertising medium comprising: a trafficcontrol cabinet comprising a first side wall spaced from a second sidewall, and front and rear walls extending therebetween, and top andbottom walls forming a rectangular-shaped housing having an enclosedstorage area formed therein, the cabinet further comprising at least onedoor extending over an opening, the top wall extending beyond at leastone of the first side wall, the second side wall, the front wall and therear wall so as to form a flange thereover; a frame enclosing thecabinet, the frame defined by a plurality of siderails generallyconforming to a periphery of the housing, at least one of the siderailshaving at least one connector extending therefrom; an advertising panelcarried within at least one of the plurality of siderails; at least onelocking assembly for restricting access to the enclosed storage area viathe at least one door, the at least one locking assembly comprising afirst lock device, a second lock device, and a tie rod extendingtherebetween, the tie rod defining opposing first and second connectors,the first lock device and the second lock device each comprising ahousing configured for receiving first, second, and third locking pins,each locking pin having opposing first and second ends, the first endconfigured for receiving a key and the second end configured forreceiving a connector, the second ends of the first and second lockingpins removably secured to the at least one connector, and the second endof the third locking pin removably secured to at least one of the firstand second connectors of the tie rod.
 2. The traffic control cabinet asdescribed in claim 1, further comprising at least one locking barconfigured for preventing removal of at least one of the first, second,and third locking pins from the housing.
 3. The traffic control cabinetas described in claim 2, further comprising at least one retaining pinconfigured for engaging the housing and preventing movement of the atleast one locking bar.
 4. A locking assembly for restricting access to atraffic control cabinet, the locking assembly comprising: a first lockdevice having a housing configured for receiving first, second, andthird locking pins, each locking pin having opposing first and secondends, the first end configured for receiving a key and the second endconfigured for receiving a connector; a second lock device having ahousing configured for receiving first, second, and third locking pins,each locking pin having opposing first and second ends, the first endconfigured for receiving a key and the second end configured forreceiving a connector; and a tie rod defining opposing first and secondconnectors, the first connector removably secured to at least one of thefirst, second, and third locking pins of the first lock device, and thesecond connector removably secured to at least one of the first, second,and third locking pins of the second lock device.
 5. The lockingassembly as described in claim 4, further comprising a first locking barconfigured for engaging at least one of the first, second, and thirdlocking pins.
 6. The locking assembly as described in claim 5, furthercomprising a second locking bar configured for engaging at least one ofthe first, second, and third locking pins.
 7. The locking assembly asdescribed in claim 6, wherein the first locking bar engages the firstand second pins, and wherein the second locking bar engages the thirdpin.
 8. The locking assembly as described in claim 7, further comprisinga retaining pin configured for engaging both the housing and at leastone of the first and second locking bars.
 9. A locking assemblycomprising: a first housing configured for receiving first, second, andthird locking pins, each locking pin having opposing first and secondends, the first end configured for receiving a key and the second endconfigured for receiving a connector, wherein the first locking pin isoriented substantially parallel to the second locking pin, and whereinthe third locking pin is oriented substantially perpendicular to thefirst and second locking pins; a second housing configured for receivingfourth, fifth, and sixth locking pins, each locking pin having opposingfirst and second ends, the first end configured for receiving a key andthe second end configured for receiving a connector, wherein the fourthlocking pin is oriented substantially parallel to the fifth locking pin,and wherein the sixth locking pin is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the fourth and fifth locking pins; and a tie roddefining opposing first and second connectors, the first connectorconfigured for being removably secured to the second end of the thirdlocking pin, and the second connector configured for being removablysecured to the second end of the sixth locking pin.
 10. The lockingassembly as described in claim 9, wherein the first and secondconnectors comprise first and second threaded members.
 11. The lockingassembly as described in claim 10, further comprising at least onelocking bar configured for perpendicularly engaging at least one of thefirst, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth locking pins andpreventing the removal thereof from the housing.
 12. The lockingassembly as described in claim 11, further comprising at least oneretaining pin configured for engaging the housing and preventingdisengagement of the at least one locking bar from at least one of thefirst, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth locking pins.
 13. Thelocking assembly as described in claim 9, further comprising a cabinetdefining an enclosed space therein, the cabinet having first and secondconnectors, the first connector configured for removably engaging thesecond end of the first locking pin, and the second connector configuredfor removably engaging the second end of the second locking pin.
 14. Thelocking assembly as described in claim 13, wherein the cabinet furthercomprises third and fourth connectors, the third connector configuredfor removably engaging the second end of the fourth locking pin and thefourth connector configured for removably engaging the second end of thefifth locking pin.
 15. The locking assembly as described in claim 14,wherein the cabinet comprises a traffic control cabinet.